The Ministers of the Information of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states have rejected systematic and tendentious campaigns targeting GCC countries, their values and contributions to regional and international forums. The ministers made the remarks during their 25th meeting in Riyadh on Thursday. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Majid Al Qasabi, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Commerce and Acting Minister of Media, who is the chairman of the current session. UAE's Minister of Culture and Youth Noura Al Kaabi; Bahrain's Minister of Information Affairs Dr. Ramzan Al Nuaimi; Omani Minister of Information Dr. Abdullah Al Harrasi; CEO of Qatar Media Corporation Shaikh Abdulaziz bin Thani, and Undersecretary of the Ministry of Information of Kuwait Mohammed Naji were present at the meeting, in addition to GCC Secretary-General Dr. Nayef Al Hajraf. The ministers extended their sincere thanks, gratitude and appreciation to the GCC leaders for their wise guidance and their keenness to advance the journey of joint media work to boost cooperation and integration among the GCC states in order to meet the desired sustainable development targets and enhance regional and global security and stability. The ministers reviewed a number of important common issues in the media field, foremost of which is the implementation of the decisions issued by the Supreme Council and the Ministerial Council. They also discussed the strategic plan for joint media cooperation in the GCC countries (2023-2030), and the results of the meetings of the specialized committees in the media field. In this context, the ministers approved the various programs and joint projects presented on the agenda, including the radio and television programs produced by the GCC states. They also approved cooperation projects between news agencies, electronic media and external media, as well as coordination and cooperation in technical and engineering fields related to reception and broadcasting channels. The ministers discussed the report submitted by the Gulf Radio and Television Corporation and the report of the Joint Program Production Corporation of the GCC. They took decisions related to the projects of the two institutions and the promotion of their mission within the joint Gulf media work system. The ministers touched upon the matter of some international digital platforms violating content and advertising controls in a way that is inconsistent with religious and moral values in the GCC countries. The ministers praised the statement issued by electronic media officials and the agreement on a unified position toward these platforms in the GCC countries in a unified manner to confront platforms that contradict religious and moral values, and to focus on preserving the family, its cohesion and development, as it is the natural and essential foundation of society, its progress and prosperity. The ministers affirmed their denunciation and rejection of all systematic and malicious media campaigns directed against the GCC countries. They congratulated the State of Qatar, its leadership, government and people on the launch of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and on the historic opening, which reflects the distinguished efforts made by Qatar in the great preparation and wonderful organization of this historical event. They congratulated the leadership, government and people of Saudi Arabia on the historic victory of the Saudi national team against Argentina, wishing them continued success in their World Cup journey. — SPA
